'Heroin house' defendants arraigned

Two suspects arrested during a drug raid last month at a residence police call a Norwalk "heroin house" were in court for the first time this week.

Cory B. Smith, 24, and Roy A. Stewart III, 30, were arrested in early December after Norwalk police used a search warrant at 14 E. Harkness St. Police arrested four other people at the time who were staying at the residence.

"It's a heroin house," Detective Sgt. Jim Fulton said after the arrests. "They are all known heroin addicts."

On Friday, Smith, of 40B Corwin St., was indicted on three counts each of burglary and theft in connection with incidents on Nov. 22 and 26 plus Dec. 2 and 7. He also was charged with one count each of theft of a firearm and safecracking, both stemming from a Nov. 27 offense.

If convicted, Smith faces as much as 28 years in prison and a $55,500 fine.

He must post a $30,000 bond before being released from the Huron County Jail. If Smith posts bail, he is prohibited from being on the premises of the victims' residences on Erie, St. Mary's and West Chestnut streets.

Smith's Huron County Common Pleas Court trial is scheduled for Feb. 26.

Stewart, formerly of 14 E. Harkness St., was indicted Friday on two counts of trafficking in heroin in connection with incidents on Nov. 19 and 25. Judge Jim Conway set Stewart's bond at $5,000 and his trial for March 26.

The defendant is subject to random drug screens.

Police said officers had received information about people selling and using heroin on East Harkness Street. Authorities obtained a warrant from Norwalk Municipal Court Judge John Ridge and used it during the raid. Fulton said the suspects were traveling to Cleveland to buy heroin.

On Friday, Espinoza was indicted on one count of possession of heroin and one count of tampering with evidence and Robert W. Stewart was indicted on one count of permitting drug abuse. Those two have not had made their initial court appearances yet.